E295 
.C34 




REVOLUTIONARY MEMORIALS, 



EMBRACINO 



POEMS 

BY THE EEV. WHEELER CASE, 

PUBLISHED m 17'78, 

AND 

AN APPENDIX, 

CONTAINING 

General Eargoyne's Proclaination, (in iDurlesque,) dated 

June 23, 1777 — A late Authentic Account of the Death 

of Miss Jane M'Crea — The American Hero, a 

Sapphic Ode, hy Nat. Niles, A.M., etc 



EDITED BY 

THE REV. STEPHEN DODD, 

OF EAST HAVKN, CT. 



NEW YOEK: 
PUBLISHED BY M. W. DODD, 

BRICK CHURCH CHAPEL, OPPOSITE CITV HALL. 
18 5 2. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 185-2, 

BY M. W. DODD, 

In the Clerk's Office, for the Southern District of New Yorfe 



i'ix 



EDITOR'S PREFACE. 



The original edition of these Poems was anonymous, 
and the copy of the edition before nie is without Title 
Page or Preface. Having in my youth seen a copy, I 
had occasion to mention the circumstance to a class-mate, 
in college, (Walter Case, of Newburgh,) and expressing 
my regret that I could not find a copy, nor learn the name 
of the Author of the Poems, he promptly replied, " My 
father was the author." This was about the year 1797 ; 
and this was also the conclusion of the inquiry at that 
time, about the Poems. Twenty years afterwards, 1817, 
I found the pamphlet among some cast-oif books and 
papers in a garret, but worn and mutilated, so as to be too 
imperfect for the press. However, in September last I 
found an entire copy of a previous edition, except the two 
last pages, which enables me to prepare a copy for the 
press. By filHng up the lines in the two defective pages, 
I have endeavored to express the ideas and meaning of 
the Author. The words inserted are inclosed in brackets. 
I am persuaded that this precious relic of that fearful 



( iv ) 

period when men's principles were tested, will be accepta- 
ble to the patriotic community. 

Having ascertained the Author, I have inserted in the 
Title Page, the name of the Rev. Whitfield Case. He 
was the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Pleasant 
Valley, Dutchess County, New York. 

Several historical matters are added by way of Appendix, 
to illustrate some particulars suggested by the Poet, and 
the sufferings of the people in the Revolutionary War. 

The Editor. 
Nov. 1, 1851. 



POEMS, 



OCCASIONFD BY 



SEVERAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND OCCURRENCES 



PEESENT GKAND CONTEST 



OF 



AMERICA 



LIBERTY. 



By the Rev. WHEELER CASE, 
Ok Dutchess-County, K Y. 



NEW HAVEN: 
PRINTED BY THO. AND SAMUEL GREEN. 

1778. 



PEEFACE, 



Some of the following pieces the author composed for a 
little amusement, without any thought of printing them. 
Others he composed with a design to print, if it should be 
thought that they had even the least tendency to promote 
the glorious cause of liberty. When taking a view of the 
whole, he entertained a hope that they might contribute a 
little towards promoting the noble cause, and so concluded 
to print them. If the friends of liberty should be of the 
same mind with him, he hopes they will be good enough 
to excuse practical errors, as he had never made the art of 
poetry his study. As for others he is not concerned about 
them, being persuaded the time is drawing nigh, when they 
will be fully convinced that Liberty is better than Slavery, 
and independency is much better than living dependent upon 
a Prince, who chooses that they should live no longer than 
during his pleasure, or submit to abject Slavery. And be- 
ing thus convinced, they will not only excuse en'ors of this 
kind, but will bless even those that cast but their one 

mite into the Treasury. 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS. 



'— >■ 



PAQB 

A Contest between the Eagle and the Crane 13 

A Dialogue between Col. Paine and Miss Clorinda Fairchild 17 

St. Clair's Retreat and Burgoyne's Defeat 19 

The first Chapter of the Lamentations of General Burgoyne 26 

The Fall of Burgoyne 33 

The Vanity of trusting in an Arm of Flesh 35 

The Tragical Death of Miss Jane M'Crea 37 

An Answer for the Messengers of the Nation 40 



APPENDIX. 

Burgoyne's Proclamation 51 

History of the M'Crea Family, and the Murder of Jane by 

the Indians. By Asa Fitch, M.D 56 

Extracts from Charles Neilson, Esq. respecting the murder 

of Jane M Crea 62 

The American Hero, by N. Niles 66 



POEMS 






POEMS. 

A contest hetiveen the EAGLE and the CRANE. 

Composed February, 1770. 

THE morning all serene, ilie weather fair, 
I walk'd abroad to take the i)lcasant air, 
As I pursued my walk, and rais'd my eye, 
I saw an Eaujlo soaring towards the sky, 
lie spread his wings, and skimm'd along with ease, 
Like a swift ship that's sailing o'er the seas : 
With Agur I was struck, with great surprise, 
To see him form his circles in the skies ; 
From his exalted sphere lie now with pride, 
Look'd scoi'nful down on every bird beside. 
From this proud bird I turn'd my eyes around, 
And saw a Crano upon a marshy ground ; 
She had no ill design, no ill she fear'd. 
No proud or haughty airs in her appear'd. 
In a defenceless state alone she stood. 
Her time employed in picking up her food ; 
'Till from aloft the Eagle swiftly flies, — 
As lightrn"ng quick he darted from the skies, 
And struck her down : There on her back she lies. 
Severe and sudden was the dire arrest, 
Ilis crooked talons planted in her breast, 



( 14 ) 

I thought for quarters she aloud would cry, 
Or else, it seem'd she certainly must die. 
No timid cry I hear, no plaint of woe. 
She is resolv'd to die or kill her foe. 
Resentment doth her injured breast inspire, 
With dauntless courage and a martial fire : 
The little champion boldly rais'd her head 
From off the ground where she before had fed ; 
Her bill now pierc'd his throat, nor fears the Crane, 
She sucks the Eagle's blood from every vein ; 
He droops his wings; all languid are his eyes, 
He'll die unless he quits his hold and flies. 




A LIVELY, striking emblem here you see 
Of George the Third and sons of Liberty. 
This haughty Prince, when he began to reign, 
Did great exploits, defeated France and SjMin. 
His heart with pride was swell'd and lifted high, 
He soar'd aloft like the Eagle in the sky. 
From exalted height he now look'd down, 
With pride and scorn on all the kingdoms round. 
Not high enough, ambitious to be great, 
Sagely consults his minister of State : 
Betwixt them both and with the Devil's aid, 
The horrid scheme is form'd, the plan is laid. 
Millions of free-born subjects to enslave. 
And fix the yoke of bondage on the brave : 
To bow their necks beneath this iron yoke, 
They threaten death, and aim the fatal stroke. 



( 10 ) 

Their fleets with troops are hovering on the shore, 
With sword unsheath'd, and awful cannon's roar. 
Like the fierce Eagle darting from the skies ; 
Strikes down America, prostrate she lies : 
Good Heavens ! said I, how sudden the arrest, 
With glittering sword all pointed at their breast : 
My heart was smote with grief, Alas ! said I, 
They'll lose their freedom and their property : 
Their souls too great ! they know not how to yield, 
To cry for quarter, or to quit the field ; 
Freedom's too dear to lose ; in this grand strife, 
They'll risk their all, their treasure and their life. 
A manly courage in their bosom glows. 
Fearless they meet their most tremendous foes. 
With keen resentment now they raise their head. 
Rush to the fight and strike the Britons dead. 
These with tormenting anguish feel the &?7/, 
Witness the blood that drench'd all Bunker-hill. 
On this bless'd land, true liberty shall reign. 
While Britain^ Slaves despair and bite their chain. 
The Lord's your shield, Americans fear not. 
Your hill has pierc'd the lofty Eagle's throat ; 
The proud, imperious Prince now feels his pains, 
While fainting Britain bleeds thro' all her veins. 
Heart-sick — she groans — we soon shall see her end. 
Unless she spreads lier wings, and flies before the wind. 



A Dialogue between Col. Paine and Miss Clorinda 
Fairchild, when taking leave of her to go on the north- 
ern expedition. 

Col. Paine. T'M come to let my dear Clorinda know, 

JL My bleeding country calls, and I must go, 
Distress'd it calls aloud, to arms, to arms ; 
The trumpet sounds, I now must leave your charms ; 
I've drawn my sword, I'll go forth with the brave, 
And die a freeman, ere I live a slave. 

Clo. Good Heavens ! can this be true ? can it be so ? 
You pierce my heart, I'm overwhelm'd with woe. 
Is this your love, is this the kind return. 
To win my heart, and leave me thus to mourn ? 
Oh should you fall a victim there to death, 
I can't survive, I must resign my breath. 

Paine. My dear Clorain^ forbear to weep, forbear ; 
I trust my life to God's paternal care ; 
He will protect the men whose cause is just, 
And in the God of armies put their trust. 
We'll boldly go and smite those rebels dead, ^ 
Who dare oppose our Continental Head ; > 
Then I'll return and my Clorinda wed. J 

Clo. If naught your mind will change, then take the field, 
Go play the man, and Heaven be your shield. 



( 18 ) 

Go forth and act the hero, crush our foes, 

Who slav'ry love, and hberty oppose. 

May liberty's brave sons the triumph spread, 

Put all their foes to flight, or view them dead. 

Should Heaven, propitious, our good cause maintain, 

And our brave troops with you victorious reign : 

Then cheerfully with them we'll victory sing, 

And join with them in praise to Zion's King. 

With what transporting joy I'd then receive 

That dearest man with whom I wish to live. 

But oh ! the cruel fate of war — 

Paine. My dear Clorain, forbear, we now must part, 
Adieu, my love — but oh ! my bleeding heart. 

This said, the tears flow'd from her eyes. 

Her cheeks all ^^ale spread o'er ; 

Each other they embrace with sighs, 

'Till they could weep no more. 
* * * 

Clo. Farewell, my dear, farewell, dear Col. Paine, "j 
Heaven be your guard, while foes around are slain, > 
Return you safe, where love and freedom reign. J 

Paine. Farewell, my dear Clorain, my only fair, ^ 
May Angels keep you safe from ev'ry snare, !- 

Adieu, my dear, I leave you in their care. J 



St. Clair's Retreat, and Burgoyne's Defeat. 

ST. CLAIR is stationed in our Northern fort, 
T' oppose Burgoyne, sent from the British coast, 
The fortress all complete in every part, 
Well fortified by nature and by art ; 
How firm the walls ! the lines completely mann'd, 
Huge cannon planted round, all parts well scann'd. 
The gen'ral now his soldiers all address'd, 
And like a hero thus himself express'd : 
" Let martial courage in your bosoms glow, 
Nor fear to face a proud invading foe ; 
You know our cause is just ; we need not fear, 
The God of armies will for us appear. 
Fair Liberty commands ; here make the stand. 
Here we will die, or save our injur'd land. 
You all detest the shameful name of Slave ; 
Then play the man, and rank among the brave. 
My orders you will all, as one obey, ^ 

Our foes, all panic-struck will sneak away, y 

Then we — J 

But who, what troops are these just here in sight — 
All clad in arms complete, prepar'd to fight ? 
They are Great Britain's troops — a rising storm — 
They all appear of a gigantic form ! 



( 20 ) 

These sons of Anak spread all o'er the land, 

Before this mighty host we cannot stand. 

Should we fool-hardy with them now engage, 

"We fall at once sure victims to their rage ; 

With sword unsheath'd they're all advancing nigh. 

Let ev'ry man prepare himself to fly : 

I now command you all with speed to run, 

Leave all your baggage, and not fire a gun." 

The soldiers with reluctance now obey. 

They all retreat, and St. Clair leads the way. 

"Whether with panic struck, he took the flight, 

Or to ensnare Burgoync in dismal plight, 

The muse must leave till she has further light. J 

Perhaps by impulse he foreknew the fates, 

And fled to save the whole United States : 

Whether fear or impulse govern'd in his breast, 

Kind Providence o'erruled it for the best 

Burgoyne elated, now pursues the chase, 

And threatens vengeance to the rebel race ; 

He boasts aloud, his threat'nings round he hurl'd, 

As tho' assur'd of conquering all the world. 

With hellish pride he triumphs o'er the north, ^ 

Enumerates his titles and his worth, ^ * 

And sends his thund'ring proclamation forth. J 

Persuasive arguments at first he us'd, 

Then blood and slaughter, if they him refus'd : 

He dipp'd his pen in oil to soothe and please ; 

Then his address began in words like these, — 

* See Appendix I. 



( 21 ) 

" Why will you tlms desert my master's cause, 
And trample under foot his righteous laws ? 
Cease to rebel, repent, return and live, 
I've sealed pardons in my hand to give. 
Remain upon your farms, there safely stay. 
With all yovu- horses, cattle, and your hay ; 
Nor hide your oats, your barley, or your wheat, 
Then you from me shall safe protection meet ; 
You need not fear, no one shall you annoy, 
Come and submit, I'll find you full employ ; 
I'll bore your ear unto my master's door, 
'Tis all he has in view, he wants no more. 
Submit your necks to his most easy yoke, 
So that you may avert the dreadful stroke ; 
As mediator, I do you entreat. 
With all submission fall at George's feet ; 
My royal master's pleasure and your good. 
Is my design, could it be understood. 
Oh ! for the eloquence of a Demosthenes, 
Could I your mind impress, or could I please, 
Could I but melt your stubborn temper down. 
To due submission to the British crown, 
When I have done my work, I am content 
With what I'm to receive from government. 
But if my royal master you despise. 
And 'gainst the clearest light you shut your eyes, 
If you are still determined to rebel. 
And counteract his laws, all plann'd so well, 
Then I'm in duty bound to let you know 
What I have full authority to do ; 



( 22 ) 

I come commissioned from great George's throne, 
To vindicate his honor and my own ; 
A great and potent army I command, ^ 

With floods of rebel blood to drench the land : 
Thousands of Indians I've supply'd with knives, 
To scalp your dearest children and your wives ; 
If I but nod the savage army flies. 
And naught is heard but shrieks and female cries ; 
Believe my word, this sure will be your fate, 
You soon must feel the vengeance of the State. 
Let not your HezekiaKs you deceive, 
None of your pulpit Orators believe. 
In whom do you confide ? come tell. 
That ye against my master dare rebel. 
Is it on Gallic bands, or is it Spain ? 
They'll disappoint your trust, your hope is vain. 
Were they with 3^ou combin'd, they'd with you fall. 
Just like a tottering fence or bowing wall ; 
What Britain did last war, you know full well. 
Her banners wav'd, united powers fell. 
What armies ever could her force withstand ? 
Hath she not conquered both the sea and land ? 
What madness then to oppose a power so great, 
While weak and feeble in your infant state ?"* 
. Reiyly. Britain, 'tis true, her conquests far hath spread. 
Nations to her have bow'd and tribute paid. 
Her vict'ries she hath spread o'er the sea and land, 
Before her potent armies none could stand. 

* See Apendix I. 



( 23 ) 

Horror and darkness now are spread around, 

Our woes increase, and no deliverer's found. 

Great desolation in the north is made. 

Our strongest fort resigned, St. Clair is fled ; 

The poor distressed inhabitants now fly, 

And on the Providence of GOD rely ; 

The baser sort are flocking to Burgoyne^ 

Others now tremble, lest they must resign. 

Why these despairing tho'ts ? Why all this fear ? 

Who knows but GOD will soon for us appear ? 

The night's the darkest, best observers say, 

E'en just before the dawning of the day ; 

Who knows but these our groans and female ciies. 

Which sound thro' all the woods, may reach the skies ? 

Our cause is just, we dare appeal to heaven ; 

We fight for what our gracious GOD hath given. 

You threaten vengeance with your dreadful rod. 

As if you fill'd the seat and throne of GOD. 

But hark ! the sov'reign speaks, vengeance is mine. 

And now I will repay it on Burgoyne. 

The horrors which you have denounced of late, 

Shall fall upon your own devoted pate. 

Burgoyne is rushing on in quest of blood, 

And Indians shout for victory thro' the wood. 

He solemnly declares, unless we yield, 

Horror and death await us in the field. 

He sends his bloody flag from house to house ; 

The mountains travail, and bring forth a mouse. 

While thus he threatens ruin to these states. 

Behold ! here comes the brave heroic GATES. 



( 24 ) 

The gloom dispell'd, the light doth now appear, 

And shines thro' all the northern hemisphere ; 

Our troops collect, and marshal in array, 

Complete in arms, their banners they display. 

Burgoyne now views them all in arms complete, 

Struck with a panic, orders a retreat. 

The soldiers trembling, his commands obey. 

And he, the most intrepid, leads the way ; 

Our brave commander then pursues with speed, 

Soon overtakes ; and numbers lie and bleed ; 

Our valiant troops inclose Burgoyne around, 

And take the best advantage of the ground. 

The British hero that appear'd so prompt. 

Is now inclos'd by Yankies in a swamp. 

The great Burgoyne is now overwhelmed with grief, 

Nor has he any hope to obtain relief; 

The rebel army he with scorn defy'd. 

Have him encompass'd round on ev'ry side. 

Alas ! how great his grief, how 'cute his pain ! 

How great is his reproach, how great the stain ! 

Surprising strange ! how singular his case ! 

By rebels close confin'd in such a place. 

One thing especially that makes him mourn, ^ 

Great generals and lords that strut and spurn, V 

Are fond of having room enough to turn. J 

What seiz'd his soul with horror and surprise, 

He expects now soon to fell a sacrifice ; 

A sacrifice to hberty's brave sons ; 

For blood of innocence and dying groans ; 



( 25 ) 

His sorrows rise ; an overwhelming flood, 
Conscience accus'd, and justice cry'd for blood, 
Whole rivers of such blood could ne'er atone, 
For all the horrid murders he had done. 
Kow, thunderstruck, with these ill-boding fates, 
Resigns himself and army up to Gates. 



The first Chapter of the Lamentations of General 

BURGOYNE. 

GOOD heavens ! how deep I'm plung'd in woe ! 
None knows what I now undergo. 
Britain assum'd a sovereign power, 
To crush her sons while in their flower ; 
One now was wanting bold and brave, 
T' enforce her laws, the sons to enslave. 
To get a name, to gain applause, 
I readily espous'd her cause ; 
I undertook amidst the throng. 
To head her army right or wrong : 
Britain I left, and cross'd the seas, 
His majesty and North to please ; 
I landed on Canadia's shore, 
The land and lakes I then pass'd o'er ; 
I raarch'd along, my banners spread. 
And struck the rebels all with dread : 

I soon was master of fort Ti 

Like sheep they all before me fly ; 
My Indians shout, my cannon roar. 
The land is stain'd with crimson gore ; 
All things are pleasing, all things bright. 
The rebel army dare not fight. 



( 27 ) 

The sun in its meridian shone, 

I thought the day was now my own : 

To Britain I dispatch'd a post, 

And joy was spread thro' all their coast, 

But oh ! the change, the sudden change ! 

Affairs now took a turn most strano-e. 

The liero Gates appears in sight, 

His troops all cloth'd with armor bright , 

They all as one their banners spread. 

With Death or Victory on their head.* 

A sudden panic seiz'd my breast ; 

Now to retreat I thought was best, 

I gave the word and led the way, 

My orders all as one obey. 

In this precipitate retreat. 

Our whole dependence was omfeet. 

Like Tories they have us deceived. 

Oh ! that we'd never them believ'd. 

While running thro' a swampy ground. 

The rebel army us surround : 

horrid place ! Oh dreadful gloom ! 

1 mourn for want of elbow-room. 
My tawny soldiers from me fled, 
Have now return'd to scalp my head. 
I hear them whoop, I hear them yell, 
I'm at the very gates of hell. 



* General Gates' soldiers wore this badge in capitals on their 
hats : Death or Victory. 



( 28 ) 

O horror this ! unhappy wretch ! 
Tliey've took an unexpected stretch ; 
I'm here confin'd, and naught to eat, 
They've robb'd me of my bread and meat. 
"Water, I thought, was always free, 
But that is now deny'd to me. 

that my royal master knew, 
How I am treated by this crew, 
He, lion-like, of whelps bereav'd, 
Would see us instantly reliev'd — 
No, the attempt would all be vain, 
They fight like devils, not like men. 
But who would ever have believ'd 
That I could thus have been deceiv'd ? 

1 thought five thousand men, or less, 
Thro' all these states might safely pass, 
March boldly on one steady course. 
The states all trembling at our force : 
My error now I see too late, 

Here I'm confin'd within this state. 
Yes, in this little spot of ground, 
Inclos'd by Yankies all around. 
With this five thousand — yes with ten, 
And these Great Britahi's chosen men, 
In Euro2)c let it ne'er be known, 
Nor publish it in Askelon, 
Lest the uncircumcised rejoice. 
And distant nations join their voice. 
What will my friends in Brifahi say? 
I wrote them I had gain'd the day, 



( 29 ) 

I made them both rejoice and shig, 
But now they'll strike a mournful string. 
Three things now strike me with surprise : 
First, I believ'd the Tories' lies ; 
What also brought me to this plight, 
I thought the Yankies would not fight. 
Thirdly, I'm most asham'd to say, 
I fled so fast, I miss'd my way. 
How strange that I should take this route, 
Where I'm so swamp'd and hemm'd about, 
The De'il himself could ne'er get out. 
Alas ! I'm overborne with gi'ief ! 
There's none appears for my relief ! 
Where are my titles and my fame ? 
I've lost my honor and my name. 
At Bennington Stark gave the wound, ^ 
Which like a gangrene spread around, \ 
O'er Saratoga's cursed ground. J 

Heart-sickness seiz'd the camp so fast. 
All courage fail'd ; and then at last 
Arnold and Lincoln gave the blow 
That prov'd our final overthrow. 
Arnold with wings our lines flew o'er, 
The like I never saw before ; 
He threaten'd death to every one 
That dar'd to fire another gun. 
The Hessians thunderstruck, turn pale, 
The stupid asses' hearts now fail ; 
Thus seiz'd with trembling and dismay, 
Their new commander they obey ; 



{ 30 ) 

The panic spread from breast to breast, 
And I was struck among the rest. 
Language now fails — it can't express 
Th' amazing horror and distress. 
Cannon-hke claps of thunder roar, 
Their balls like hail upon us pour ; 
Flashes of fire around us blaze ; 
The sun now lost his feebler rays : 
Volumes of smoke o'ercloud the skies, 
And scenes of blood salute our eyes. 
The gloom of death around us waits, 
And all the vengeance of the states : 
I must submit or die — but how? 
To these despised Yankles bow ? — 
I wish I never had been born : 
If I submit, I'm laugh'd to scorn ; 
If I refuse, I know my doom, 
Among the living I've no room. 
The blood of innocence I've shed ; 
This fills my guilty soul with dread. 
My brethren's blood against me cries. 
And calls for vengeance from the skies ; 
Cain's crime was great, but not so bad. 
The blood of only one he shed ; 
But I have laid a country waste, 
And human nature have disgrac'd : 
I've slain each sex of ev'ry age, 
And slaughter'd victims to my rage. 
One Demon only tempted, Cain, 
Legion, and more within me reign. 



( 31 ) 

Ilorror and death do me surprise, 

A shower of lead around me flies. 

In Saul, when guilt and fear arise, 

Away to Endor straight he goes, 

He prays the witch, tho' most unjust, 

To raise up Samuel from the dust, 

That he might tell what would be best 

For him to do while thus distress'd ; 

But I'm confin'd, and cannot go 

To Endor^ there to tell my woe ; 

I'm here pent up to grieve and mourn, 

I scarce have room enough to turn. 

O that that prophet would arise. 

My priests have told me naught but hes. 

What shall I say ?— What shall I do ? 

" My council, now I turn to you." 

A council now of war is held ; 

They all as one agree to yield. 

Their colors strike, to Gates they bow, 

Lay down their arras, and off they go. 
* * * # * 

As they begin to march, as soon 

The conquerors all agree 
To sound the Yankee-doodle tune 

Upon the highest key. 
Musicians all of various kinds 

With utmost skill now play. 
To raise the pris'ners' drooping minds, 

And Demons drive away. 



( 32 ) 

Such charms of music ne'er before 
Were heard within our land, 

But all their skill they now give o'er 
For want of David's hand. 



The Fall of Burgoyne. 

IS this Burgoyne^ Burgoyne the great, 
Who fiird our land with woe, 
And threaten'd vengeance from the state. 
Is he now fell so low ? 

2. Is't he that made the earth to tremble. 

That was so great a curse. 
That doth great BabeVs king resemble, 
Is he now weak like us ? 

3. To Indians he gives stretch no more, 

Nor them supplies with knives 

To stain our land with crimson gore, 

With them to scalp our wives. 

4. His threat'ning proclamation's stopp'd, 

He's now o'erspread with gloom, 
The wings with which he flew are cropp'd. 
He has no elboio-room. 

5. His titles he proclaims no more, 

No more his triumphs spread. 
His thund'ring cannon cease to roar. 
And all his joys are fled. 

6. Where is his great and mighty host. 

That huge gigantic race. 
The sons of AnaJc, Britairi's boast ? 
They're pris'ners in disgrace. 



( ^i ) 

T. Pris'ners to rebels, Yankies too, 
O mortifying stroke ! 
They caught Burgoyne with all his crew, 
Britons now wear the yoke. 
8. Great Washington, that man of might, 
Hath laid a snare for Hoive, 
Unless with speed he takes his flight, 
He to the yoke must bow. 



The vanity of trust'mg in an Arm of Flesh. 

" Let not him that girdetli on his harness, boast himself, 
he that putteth it off." 1 Kings xx. 11. 

WHEN the commanders of an host 
Lift up their heads with pride and boast ; 
When they to strength of hoi'ses fly, 
And on an arm of flesh rely, 
They find the strength of horses vain, 
Nor trust to be repos'd in men. 
When Sijria's leader, rais'd with pride, 
Jehovah, Israel's God defy'd. 
And aim'd to crush his chosen race, 
And dar'd affront him to his face, 
God heard the proud Sennach'rib boast. 
Went forth and smote his numerous host. 
Another instance we may see. 
Of equal pride and vanity : 
How soon it's humbled to the dust. 
By one who made the Lord his trust, 
Philistia's chief, the man of might. 
Who from his youth was taught to fight, 
Being cloth'd with armor all complete, 
E'en from his head down to his feet, 



( 36 ) 

Before the host of Isra'l stood, 

And there blasphem'd the name of God ; 

llis chosen tribes he now disdain'd, 

And all things sacred he profan'd, 

David, an iinexperienc'd youth, 

Who fear'd the Lord, and lov'd the truth, 

Who put his trust in God alone, 

Went only with his sling and stone, 

And fell'd the impious monster down. J 

There lies the great Goliah dead, 

His numerous host all trembling, fled ; 

The God of might his power maintains, 

And o'er the host of men he reigns ; 

He smites the proud, he breaks their bands, 

The men of mio-ht ne'er find their hands. 



The tragical death of Miss Jane M'Crea, loho was 
scalped and inhumanly butchered bij a scouting party 
of Bcrgoyne's anmj, on his way towards Albany. 

AS I was passing thro' a certain wood, 
I heard a doleful noise ; surpris'd I stood — 
I lent a list'ning ear— but 0, what moans ! 
The woods all rang- with shrieks and dying groans. 
Upon a rising ground I cast my eye, 
And saw a scouting party passing by. 
Some British troops, corabin'd with Indian bands, 
With swords, with knives and tora'hawks in their hands. 
They gave a shout and pass'd along the wood 
Like beasts of prey, in quest of human blood. 
I mov'd along where I had heard the cries, 
And lo ! a bloody scene salutes my eyes ; — 
Here lies an aged man, roll'd in his gore, 
And from his hoary head his scalp is tore — 
There lies a woman dead, all gash'd her face, 
A sucking babe just dropp'd from her embrace — 
There lies the slaughter'd infant on a clod, 
Its head all bruis'd, and face besmear'd with blood. 
As I advanc'd along, before me lay, 
A lady richly dress'd, her name M'Crea ; 



( 38 ) 

Stretch'd on the ground, and struggling there with death, 

She cannot live, she must resign her breath. 

The cursed Indian knife, the cruel blade, 

Had cut her scalp, they'd tore it from her head ; 

The blood is gushing forth from all her veins, 

With bitter groans and sighs she tells her pains. 

Is this that blooming fair ? is this M^Crea ? 

This was appointed for her nuptial day. 

Instead of smiles and a most brilhant bride. 

Her face besmear'd with blood, her raiment dyed ; 

Instead of pleasure and transporting joys, 

There's naught but dying groans and bitter sighs : 

For overwhelm'd with grief, alas ! I faint ; 

It is too much for language e'er to paint. 

Would heav'n admit of tears, her rev'rend sire* 

Would now look down and o'er her drop a tear ; 

A flood of tears down from his eyes would flow 

O'er his dear child, touched with her ftital woe. 

Me thinks he now attempts to speak — too full. 

With sighs he tells the anguish of his soul. 

^' H: Vc •;? 

In broken accents now I hear him say, 
Is this the plant I rais'd ! is this Jtf' Crea ! 
Is this my Jenny roll'd in blood I see. 
Whom I caress'd and dandL^d on my knee ! 
If e'er she was in pain, I felt the smart, 
If but her finger ach'd, it pain'd my heart ; 



* The Rkv, Mr. MCrea of New Jersey. Appendix II. 



( 39 ) 

But now she^s mangled with the Indian knife, 

With groans and sighs she's breathing out her life. 

Oh, cruel savages ! what hearts of steel ! 

O cruel Britons ! who no pity feel ! 

Where did they get the knife, the cruel olade ? 

From Britain it was sent, where it was made. 

The tom'hawk and the murdering knife were sent 

To barb'rous savages for this intent. 

Yes, they were sent, e'en from the British throne. 

Is this for acts of duty I have done ? 

How oft have I address'd the throne of Grace 

For Britain'' s king and all his rising race! 

How oft with tears, that God would be their friend, 

That peace and happiness might them attend ! 

No fiction this, the muse hath seen him stand, 
With eyes erect, and with uplifted hands 
Within the sacred desk ; she's heard him plead 
For Britain^ king and all the royal seed ; 
How oft, with earnest cries and flowing tears, 
For blessings on the king and all his heirs. 



An answer for the Messengers of the Notion. 

Isaiah xiv. 32. What shall one then answer the Messengers of 
the Nation 1 That the Lord hath founded Zion. and the poor of 
his people shall trust in it. 

WHEN Messengers come from a foreign land, 
With peaceful branch of olive in their hand, 
If heart and hand unite, if both agree, 
From ill designs and all suspicion free, 
We'll then receive them in the arms of love ; 
They are not men, but angels from above : 
Blessings like show'rs will on their souls descend ; 
They're blessed in life, and blessed in their end ; 
Peace like a river ne'er will cease to flow 
Thro' all their souls, while strangers hei-e below. 
When they have done their work of peace and love. 
They'll then arise to mansions far above. 
Whate'er these heavenly messengers request, 
We'll surely grant to them, for it is best. 
What terms of peace they offer we'll receive, 
Such beings can't oppress, they will relieve ; 
They'll hush the war to peace, they'll heal debates, 
And then declare us independent States. 
Our burdens they'll remove, our v.rongs redress, 
Such characters as these can do no less. 



( « ) 

But if a (lifF'rent character they bear, 

And from the British court are come t' ensnare, 

If they'd the yoke of bondage take away, 

Lay it aside until a future day, 

When time and season serve, they best will know, 

Then send their plagues with a redoubled woe. 

If they have in view, we'll tell them then, 

They are not angels, but designing men. 

A fuller answer in my text is given, 

It must be just, as it was sent from heaven. 

The Lord hath founded Zio7i, God the just, 

In him his poor may safely put their trust. 

Tyrants may rage, their thund'ring cannon I'oar, ^ 

Howes and Burgoynes may land upon our shore, >• 

There boast aloud, and tell their titles o'er ; J 

We fear them not, nor their oppressive laws. 

While Zion's God maintains our righteous cause. 

Oppression drove our fathers to this land, 

They all were guided by Jehovah's hand : 

Unto these pious souls, these heirs of heaven. 

Two eagle's wings now from on high were given ; 

They put their trust in GOD, on him depend. 

Then spread their wings and flew before the wind. 

The woman fled into this wilderness, 

Where she might serve the Lord, free from distress. 

From savage rage, and the wild beasts of prey, 

The Lord protected them both night and day ; 

With great fatigue, with their industrious hand, 

They drain'd the marshes, and clear'd up the land. 



( 42 ) 

The wilderness became a fruitful field, 

Which did to them a thousand blessings yield ; 

Like to a tree their branches spread abroad, 

They liv'd in plenty, and enjoy'd their God. 

The woman here was nourish'd, and her seed, 

From age to age, as heav'n had decreed ; 

The great red Dragon, with despotic pow'r. 

Sends forth a flood, the woman to devour ; 

The dirty waters here join with th£ flood, 

T' increase its force against the church of God. 

How vain for floods of wicked men to join 

T' enslave the church, or to destroy this vine. 

Here it was planted by Jehovah's hand, 

'Tis guarded from on high, and it must stand. 

The Nation's Messengers we then may tell. 

To walk about this Zion, and look well. 

View all her mighty bulwarks, count her tow'rs, 

And then return, and tell the British pow'rs ; 

Let them return, and tell the bloody British court. 

The Lord hath founded Zion, and will her support. ^ 

Let not my theme by any be abus'd, 
Tho' Zion^s founded, means must yet be us'd. 
When foes with spears rush on us like a flood, 
Curs\l he the man who keeps his sword from blood.* 
When wonders great for Zion have been done, 
God and his people went to war as one. 
Gideon went forth against a mighty host, 
Three hundred men were all that he could boast ; 

* Jer. xlviii. 10. 



( *3 ) 

Before these few the Midianites now fall. 

It was one sword alone that did it all, 

E'en by the sword of God and Gideon. 

What great exploits were done by Israel's King, 

How we hear this hero vict'ry sing. 

Where did he learn this skill, or whence this might ? 

The God of armies taught his hands to fight. 

W^hen Zion^s foes against her did conspire. 

Hail-stones from heaven were sent, and flames of fire. 

To crush her foes and maintain her cause, 

The God of nature alters nature's laws ; 

The sun and moon are stopp'd, they cease to run, 

'Till Joshua's work is o'er, his work is done. 

Joshua the hero, and the man of God, 

Rais'd up his eye, his mandate sent abroad. 

Thou sun, hright lamp of day, thou moon, stand still, 

Nor dare advance to yonder Western hill, 

'Till I have crush'd my foes and done Jehovah's will. 

But why need we go back to ancient dates. 

While wonders great are done within these States ? 

Jehovah's power, his all-wise providence. 

Hath been engag'd for us in our defence. 

Let's eye that Providence, adore the hand. 

That rais'd for us a Joshua in our land. 

O what a blessing to the States ! it is our bliss, 

Great Washington was rais'd for such a day as this. 

How good, how kind is most indulgent heav'n. 

That such a leader to our army's giv'n ! 

What great exploits he and his troops have done ! 

How bravely they have fought, what vict'ries won. 



( 44 ) 

It was the Lord that did tlieir breasts inspire 

With thirst for Hberty and martial fire, 

'T^vas he their operations plann'd so well, 

And fought for them, e'en when ten thousand fell. 

When these affairs are view'd and duly scanu'd, 

He's blind that does not see Jehovah's hand. 

See W^ashington thro' Jersey State retreat, 

His foes rejoice — they thought that he was beat ; 

Howe him pursues with speed, he presses on, 

He thought the day his own, the vict'iy won. 

The secret friends of George their offerings bring. 

They boldly raise their head, and own their King : 

A gloom is spread around, alas ! what grief. 

We know not where to go to find relief. 

A storm of snow and hail the Lord sent down, 

A blessed season this for WasMngton : 

He now return'd, and thro' the storm he press'd, 

And caught twelve hundred Hessians in their nest. 

Our hero pitch'd his tents near Trenton bridge, 

Howe gather'd all his troops upon a ridge, 

Not far from where his little army lay, 

Impatient waits his vengeance to display, 

Determin'd, when the shades of night were o'er. 

Great Washington should fall and be no more. 

But he with skill consummate did retire, 

Soon made the foe at Princeton feel his ire. 

Leaving the valiant Hoioe to fight the fire.* J 



* General Washington ordered a number of fires to be made, 
and kept burning till towards day. In the middle of the night he 



( 45 ) 

Now let us view the northern hemisphere, 
And see the footsteps of Jehovah there. 
We'll first survey the dark side of the cloud, 
Where scenes of woe in thick succession crowd ; 
The cruel savage tribes in union join, 
And with the British army all combine ; 

They soon are in possession of foi't Ti 

Our troops retreat, and with the country fly : 
An heart of stone must bleed to hear the cries. 
While numbers fall a bloody sacrifice 
To Britahi's cruel sons and savage rage, 
As naught but blood their fury would assuage. 
A dark and dismal gloom around us spread, 
And joy and gladness from our souls were fled ; 
We thought our country lost, our freedom gone, 
And these United States were all undone. 
The great Burg dyne's most formidable host 
Now march along, and as they march they boast, 
They boldly rush along, _^they rage and roar, 
Like swellinof waves that dash against the shore. 
Now is the time for Zio7i's God t' appear, 
His people's groans and cries have reach'd his ear 
The Lord for them hath laid a secret snare ; 
They'll not escape, but be entangl'd there. 



made a forced march to Princeton, where he attacked and took 
two regiments stationed there. In the morning Howe was pre- 
paring to attack Washington, much elated with expectations of 
crushing him, sent out his spies to make discoveries ; but to liis 
great surprise, was soon informed where Washington was, by 
hearing the heavy cannonade at Princeton. 
4-- 



( *6 ) 

Great Gen'ral Gates appears, inspir'd from heaven, 
Wisdom and fortitude to Lim are given. 
Our soldiers all collect from east to west, 
With martial ardor glowing in their breast ; 
They stop the great Burgoyne in his career, 
Him they surround, his feet arc in the snare. 
With forc'd submission now he bows to Gates, 
He and his hosts made pris'ners to these States. 
Thick clouds of darkness that our heads hung o'er 
Have vanish'd suddenly, and seen no more ; 
The rays of light break forth, how clear the skies, 
Our gloom is scatter'd, and our hopes arise. 
May love and gratitude inspire our breast, 
Praise God for these, and trust him for the rest. 
These gracious smiles are to prepare the way. 
For greater things, for a more glorious day ; 
This horrid bloody scene, ere long will end. 
And richer blessings from on high descend. 
What's been a snare to us, wl^at's prov'd our fate. 
We've been too long corrupted with the great. 
The British king and his most vicious court. 
Practise all kinds of vice, and them support : 
Most nat'rally these painted vices flow 
From higher ranks to those that are below ; 
How rapidly they've flown down from the great, 
In silver streams, and poison'd every state. 
[Jehovah] reigns above, and rules below, 
[He dries our tears,] and they shall cease to flow ; 
[And blessings pour on] those where virtue reigns, 
[The yoke of tyrants] broke, and all their chains ; 



( 47 ) 

Vice [put to flight] hides its malignant head, 

[And plotting foes] no more in corners hid ; 

Peace like a river flows thro' all the land, 

[No Tyrant moves] his tongue or lifts his hand ; 

[Our liberty] extends both far and wide, 

[Our borders] lengthen out on every side ; 

States [in successive] growing numbei's rise, 

The greatest empire this below the skies. 

Tn gloomy deserts our most distant land, 

Large cities shall be built and churches stand ; 

There Zion's sons commission'd from above, 

Shall spread the news of their Redeemer's love. 

Where wolves now range, and other beasts of prey, 

Where Indian tribes more savage are than they ; 

Where now the war-whoop sounds they bow prostrate, 

[Shall worship at the] King of Zion's gate ; 

[Where stand the oak, the beech and the tall] pine, 

[There shall be cornfields and the fruitful vino ;] 

[Where marshes abound and the wild flag] grows, 

[There shall be the lily and the] blushing rose ; 

The most delicious fruits shall ripen there. 

The peach, the plum, the apple and the pear. 

Trade unconfined extensively shall grow. 

And riches here from every nation flow. 

Our naval force how great ! our fleets abound. 

Our flocks and herds spread o'er the land around ; 

Here every sort of fruit springs up and grows, 

And all the land with milk and honey flows, 

FINIS. 



APPENDIX. 



APPENDIX I. 

From, the Providence Gazette, of Aug. 16/5A, 1777. 

[The following Address from Gen. Burgoyne, to the 
Tories and timid Whigs, was last week received from 
Rhode Island, and is here inserted, (Connecticut Journal, 
Aug. 27th, 1777,) lest they should suspect that any Matter is 
suppressed which they might suppose tended to their polit- 
ical Salvation. As this Performance is written in the true 
Rhodomontade and bombastic Stile of a Don Quixote, and 
absolutely contains almost as many Falsehoods as Asser- 
tions, it is judged unnecessary for the present to make any 
Remarks thereon : It may however not be improper to ob- 
serve, (from authentic Intelligence received) that since this 
curious Address made its appearance, Burgoyne's motley 
Troops (composed of black and white Savages) have ac- 
tually butchered and scalped a considerable Number of 
those very Tories to whom he had promised Protection, 
and whose " Undertakings" he had plighted his Faith to 
assist and cncoui'age.J 

By JOHIST BUEGOYNE, Esquire, &c. &c., 
Lieutenant- General of his Majesty's Forces in 
America, Colonel of the Queen's Regiment of 
Light Dragoons, Governor of Fort William in 



( 52 ) 

JVorth Britain^ one of the RepreBcntatives of 
the Coynmons of Great Britain in Parliament^ 
\^^ Author of a celehratedTv^%\-Qov(\^^j^ called 
the Bloclcade of Boston^''^'] and commanding 
an Army and Fleet in an Expedition froTn 
Canada^ ifec. &c. &c. 

The forces entrusted to my command are de- 
signed to act in concert, and upon a common 
principle, with the nvmeroits armies and fleets, 
which already display in every quarter of Amer- 
ica, the j^ower, the justice^ and, when properly 
sought, the mercy of the king ; the canse in 
which the British arms are thus exerted, appeals 
to the most affecting interest of the human heart, 
and the military servants of the crown, at first 
called forth for the sole purpose of restoring the 
rights of the constitution, now combine with the 
love of their country, and duty to their sovereign, 
the other extensive incitements, which spring 
from a due sense of the general privileges of 
mankind. To the eyes and ears of the temperate 
part of the public, and to the breasts of suffering 
thousands in tlie provinces be the melancholy ap- 
peal — Whether the present unnatural rebellion 
has not been made the foundation of the com- 
pletest system of tyranny that ever God, in his 
displeasure, suffered for a time to be exercised 



( 53 ) 

over a froward and stubborn generation : Arbi- 
trary imprisonments, confiscation of property, 
persecution and torture^ unprecedented in the in- 
quisitions of the Romish church, are among the 
palpable enormities that verify the affirmative : 
These are inflicted by assemblies and committees, 
who dare to profess themselves friends to liberty, 
upon the most quiet subject, without distinction 
of age or sex, for the sole crime, often from the 
sole suspicion of having adhered in principle to 
the government under which they were born, and 
to which, hy every tie divine and human^ they 
owe allegiance. To consummate these shocking 
proceedings, the profanation of religion is added 
to the most profligate prostitution of common 
reason ! The consciences of men are set at naught, 
and multitudes are compelled not only to bear 
arms, but also to swear subjection to an usurpa- 
tion they abhor. Animated by these considera- 
tions, at the head of troops in the full powers of 
health, disci]3line and valor, determined to strike 
where necessary, and anxious to save where possi- 
ble, I, by these presents, invite and exhort all per- 
sons in all places where the progress of this army 
may point, and by the blessing of God I will ex- 
tend it far, to maintain such a conduct as may 
justify me in lyrotccting their lands, habitations, 
and families. The intention of this address is to 



( 6* ) 

hold forth security^ not depredation, to the coun- 
try ; to those whose spirit and principle may in- 
duce them to partake in the glorious task of re- 
deeming their countrymen from dungeons, and 
re-establishing the hlessings of legal government, 
I offer encouragement and employment, and upon 
the first intelligence of their association, I will 
find means to assist their undertakings. The do- 
mestic, the industrious, the infirm, and even the 
timid inhabitants, 1 am desirous to protect^ pro- 
vided they remain quietly at their houses, that 
they do not sufter their cattle to be removed, or 
their corn or forage to be secreted or destroyed : 
that they do not break up their bridges or roads, 
or by any other acts, directly or indirectly, en- 
deavor to obstruct the operations of the king's 
troops, or sujDply or assist those of the enemy. 
Every species of provision brought to my camp, 
will be paid for at an equitable rate, in solid coin. 
— In consciousness of Christianity^ my royal mas- 
ter's clemency^ and the honor of soldiership, I 
have dwelt upon this invitation, and wished for 
more persuasive terms to give it impression ; and 
let not people be led to disregard it by consider- 
ing the immediate situation of my camp ; I have 
but to give stretch to the Indian forces under my 
direction, and they amount to thousands, to over- 
take the hardened enemies of Great Britain and 



( 55 ) ■ 

America ; I consider them the same wherever 
they lurk : — If notwithstanding these endeavors 
and sincere inclination to assist them, the phrenzy 
of hostility should remain, I trust I shall stand 
acquitted in the eyes of God and men in denoun- 
cing and executing the vengeance of the state 
against the wilful outcast. — The messengers of 
justice and of wrath await them in the field, and 
devastation, famine, and every concomitant hor- 
ror, that a reluctant but indisj^ensable prosecution 
of military duty must occasion, will bar the way 
to their return. 

J. BUKGOYI^E. 
Camjp at the river Bongrett ; June 2Srd, 1777. 
By order of his Excellency, the Lieutenant- 
Gen eral. Robert Kingston, 

/Secretary. 



APPENDIX 11. 

This Appendix is added to illustrate the history and 
tragical death of Miss Jane M'Crea. 

The following letter of Asa Fitch, M.D., was published 
in the Quarterly Proceedings of the Historical Society of 
New Jersey, fifth volume, page 164, and may cast hght on 
the history and death of that ill-fated maiden, and is 
copied with the consent of the editor of that work. 

Salem, New York, Feb. 18, 1851. 

Sir,— 

Your Note informing me of my election as an 
honorary member of the "New Jersey Historical 
Society, together with the Society's constitution 
and circular, and more recently the diploma of 
membership, have been duly received. I feel 
that something more than a mere expression of 
my grateful acknowledgments is due to the So- 
ciety for this mark of respect — and have thought 
that some particulars which I have gathered with 
regard to one of the former clergymen of 'New 
Jersey, and his children, would be as acceptable 
as anything I am at present prepared to com- 
municate. 



( 57 ) 

In Prof. Hodge's Plistoiy of the Presbyterian 
church, vol. i. p. 227, E"ote— the name of the 
Eev. James M'Crea occurs as a minister received 
into the Presbyterian church in the year 1739, and 
settled at " Lamberton," in ]N"ew Jersey. 

The family of this divine, I am informed, was 
originally from the highlands of Scotland, and had 
been settled during some generations in J^orth 
Ireland. From thence James M'Crea, contrary to 
the wishes of his parents, came to this country, when 
17 years of age. His classical education, which 
had been commenced in Ireland, was here com- 
pleted, and he studied theology under the Rev. 
William Tenant, Sen. He was settled in the 
ministry at " Zansington^'' (as the name is written 
in a manuscript before me), where he married 
Mary Graham, a native of that place, of Scotch 
descent. By that marriage he had five sons and 
two daughters. He died in the year 1769. 

His eldest son, John M'Crea became a resident 
of Albany, E". Y., about the year 1760, where it 
is probable he studied and commenced the prac- 
tice of law, and where he married his first wife. 
Two of his other sons, James and Samuel, a few 
years afterwards, came to that vicinity, also, and 
located at Ballston, N". Y., where they continued 
to reside, and where they died. They were 
among the first settlers of Ballston. Upon their 



( 58 ) 

newly cleared lands there, fine crops of wheat were 
readily grown ; but there was no mill for grind- 
ing it within thirty miles of them, and for a time, 
most of their bread was made by boiling their 
grain until it was sufficiently, soft to be kneaded 
and moulded into cakes for baking. 

The two remaining sons, Dr. Stephen and TVil- 
liam, resided and died in the city of J^ew York. 
Stephen, (as appears from the correspondence of 
the 'New York Provincial Congress, p. 62,) had 
just completed his medical education as the Rev- 
olutionary War was commencing, and entered the 
American service, receiving the appointment of 
surgeon in one of the 'New York regiments that 
was then raised for the expedition to Canada. 

Of one of the daughters I have no information. 
The other, Jane M'Crea, upon the death of her 
father, came to reside with her brother John, in 
Albany. Soon after this, John removed from Al- 
bany with his family and sister to the present 
town of ^Northumberland, in Saratoga county, his 
residence being upon the west side of the Hudson 
river, directly opposite the mouth of the Moses- 
kill, and five miles south of Fort Edward. In 
1773, the courts in the newly-erected county of 
Charlotte (now Washington) commenced their 
sessions, that able jurist and legislator, William 
Duer, and Philip Schuyler, afterward Major-Gen- 



( 59 ) 

^eral, being the presiding judges. In these courts 
John M'Crea is shown by the records to have 
been a leadin<g attorney and counsellor. Early in 
1TT5, when our country commenced girding itself 
for its arduous struggle for independence, Messrs. 
Schuyler and M'Crea were placed at the head of 
the Committee of Safety for Saratoga district, 
and a few months afterwards, when the militia 
was organized, the latter was chosen colonel of 
the Saratoga regiment. During that memorable 
contest into which he thus early and zealously en- 
tered, it was his destiny to experience trials and 
losses tliat were truly severe. The community 
where he resided was much divided in sentiment 
upon the subject of the war. Above him on the 
river, just below Fort Edward, resided the Widow 
Jones, who also came hither from ISTew Jersey, 
with a number of sons, now grown to manhood. 
Between one of these, David Jones, and Jane 
M'Crea, an intimacy was subsisting, which j^i'ob- 
ably made it the earnest desire of Col. M'Crea to 
attach his family to the American cause ; for, ac- 
cording to traditionary reports, it was through his 
influence that Jonathan Jones was ere Ions: elect- 
ed an additional member of the Committee of 
Safety, and that David Jones was chosen a 
lieutenant in the militia. J^either of these, how- 
ever, accepted these stations, and the following 



( CO ) 

year they took the decided step of going over to 
Canada and enlisting in the British service. 
Jonathan received a captain's commission, and 
David that of lieutenant. In this capacity they 
accompanied the army of Burgoyne the next 
year, when it invaded this section of the state. 
And when by the evacuation of Ticonderoga, it 
was rendered certain that the hostile force would 
penetrate the country, at least to Fort Edward, 
Miss M'Crea left her brother's house, and became 
domiciled at Mrs. Jones'. From hence the efforts 
of her brothers, John and Samuel, amounting in 
one instance almost to personal violence, failed to 
withdraw her. At length the royal army ad- 
vanced to within five miles of Fort Edward — the 
"Whi^r families had all removed from the neiffh- 
borhood — and on the morning of Sunday, July 
2Ttli, clothed in a dress so nice that it attracted 
the particular notice of the ferryman who set her 
over the river. Miss M'Crea passed from Mrs. 
Jones' to Mrs. Campbell's above the Fort, in 
which a small body of American troops remained, 
Her tragic end a few hours afterwards, as she 
was being conducted from Mrs. Campbell's to the 
British camp, by a party of Indians, is well 
known. Yariously as the story has been told, 
and much as the truth of portions of it have been 
called in question, the facts that I have been able 



( 61 ) 

to gatlier, clearly indicate that the original ac- 
counts of this transaction, were more correct than 
most of those that have since appeared. 

The surrender of Burgoyne so dispirited some 
of the royalists around Fort Edward, that they 
disposed of their possessions, and removed to 
Canada. A number of them accompanied the 
force of Carlton, in 1780, October 10th and 11th 
he made his descent upon, and captured Fort 
Ann and Fort George. Upon the intervening 
night occurred " the Great Burning," as it is 
locally designated. Parties guided by these Tory 
refugees, who were well acquainted with the 
neighborhood, sallied from the enemies' camp, 
fired the houses and barns of every Whig in the 
town of Kingsbury, and along the west side of 
the Hudson, as far down as Fort Miller — the in- 
habitants getting the alarm merely in time to es- 
cape. Upon this appalling night. Col. M'Crea 
was absent, upon a visit to Albany, whither he 
had taken two of his three children — their mother 
having recently died. With his buildings in 
ashes, and his cattle slaughtered in their yards, 
he was constrained to abandon a neighborhood 
where he had suffered so much, for a place of 
greater security, and he now became a resident 
of Salem, Washington county. He was here im- 
mediately appointed Clerk of the County, Avhich 



( 62 ) 

office he continued to hold until 1797. In 1806, 
he removed hence to Lisbon, in St. Lawrence 
county, where he died. 

Most of the facts in the preceding statement, 
when not otherwise indicated, have been derived 
from the verbal recitals of a black woman named 
Dinah, who died in Salem a few years since, 
who was originally a slave of Lord Stirling's, af- 
terwards of Judge Duer, and was the property 
of Col. M'Crea during the Revolutionary War, 
and from a letter from the Hon. James M'Crea 
(son of Col. John) of Ballston. 

I forward herewith a few pamphlets, and when 
my Historical and Agricultural survey of Wash- 
ington county, l!^. Y.,- which I am now engaged 
in completing, is through the press, shall with 
pleasure transmit a copy to the Society. 

Yery resj^ectfully, yours, 

Asa Fitch. 

Wm. a. Whitehead, Esa., Cor. ) 
Sec. N. J. Hist. Society, \ 

To illustrate the tragical death of Jane M'Crea 
still further, some extracts are added to the 
preceding history of her family, from an ac- 
count of " Bukgoyne's Campaign," published by 
Charles ISTeilson, Esq.^ of Bemis Heights^ Still- 
water^ Saratoga County.^ jSf. Y. This book is 
worthy of an attentive perusal. 



( 63 ) 

Page 64 and onward the writer states : — 
"Among the numerous acts of savage cruelties 
committed by the Indians, was the tragical deatli 
of Miss Jane M'Crea, an event which drew tears 
from every eye, and might furnish, if not too hor- 
rible, an affecting subject for the painter or the 
dramatist ; and which contributed soon after in a 
powerful degree, to excite the mass of the Amer- 
icans to rise against the British arm}^. The fol- 
lowing account, received through the politeness 
of Mr. William T. Baker, of Sandy Hill, corres- 
ponds in all the essential particulars with the 
other repeated accounts given to me by my much 
respected parents, w^ho were familiarly acquaint- 
ed with Miss M'Crea, and w^ho received their in- 
formation from those who were eye-witnesses to 
the scene. I have obtained from Caleb Baker, 
Esq., a resident of the village of Sandy Hill, who 
was born wliere he now resides, five years before 
the Revolution (in April, 1771) a minute and au- 
thentic relation of this Indian scene, with many 
of the attending circumstances. Mr. C. Baker 
was not an eye-witness of ' the catastrophe,' for 
he was then a lad of six years of age, and was at 
the time at Stillwater, to which place his father, 
Albert Baker, Esq., had removed his family, on 
the 12th July, 1777, soon after the evacuation of 
Ticonderoga by the American army under Gen- 



{ 64 ) 

eral St. Clair, and on the 15tli of tlie same month, 
he returned to his house at Sandy Hill (leaving 
his family at Stillwater), which stood at the south- 
ern extremity of the present village, just two 
miles north of Fort Edward, and remained there 
till the 26th July, the day previous to Jane's 
murder, and fled to Fort Edward with the retreat- 
ing fragments of scouts and detachments from 
the feeble ga-rrison from that place, then in plain 
view of the scene, he saw Jane shot from her 
horse by the Indians. On that day no one dared 
venture from the fort, but at early dawn of the 
morning of the 28th Mr. A. Baker, in company 
with a file of men from the fort, went in search 
of the body of Jane, and found it naked and mu- 
tilated, within about 20 rods of the spot where 
they had seen her fall the day before, together 
with the body of an American officer, both 
stripped and scalj)ed, and rolled down the decliv- 
ity of the hill, against a large pine-tree which 
had fallen longitudinally along the slope of the 
ravine, and partially covered with brush. They 
were borne immediately to the fort, which the 
Americans evacuated that morning, and a small 
detachment preceded the retreating Americans, 
with the two bodies, to the right bank of a small 
creek, about three miles below Fort Edward, in 
time to bury them in a rude and hasty grave, be- 



( 65 ) 

fore the main body came up. Mr. Baker accom- 
panied the retreating Americans to Stillwater, 
and then related to his family and friends, among 
the number of whom were the author's parents, 
the melancholy fate of poor Jane, and all he 
had seen and done. This relation has been a 
thousand times repeated by Mr. Baker (and per- 
haps as often by the author's parents), whose 
memory is like a book, and as faithful and true 
as the record. 

" Miss M'Crea's name is inscribed on the west 
side of the pine-tree before-mentioned, with the 
date 1777, and no traveller passes this spot with- 
out spending a plaintive moment in contemplating 
the untimely and tragical fate of youth and love- 
liness, and dropping a silent tear in token of the 
inward workings of a sensitive mind." 



THE AMEEICAN HEKO. 

A Sa2)phic Ode. By Nat. Niles, A, M. 

Why slionld vain mortals tremble at the sight of 
Death and destruction in the field of battle, 
Where blood and carnage clothe the ground in 
crimson, 

Sounding with death-groans ? 

Death will ii^vade us by the means appointed, 
And we must all bow to the king of terrors ; 
JSTor am I anxious, if I am prej^ared. 

What shape he comes in. 

Infinite goodness teaches us submission, 
Bids us be quiet under all his dealings ; 
JSTever rei3ining, but forever praising - 
God our Creator. 

Well may we praise him, all his ways are perfect ; 

Though a resplendence infinitely glowing. 

Dazzles in glory on the sight of mortals 

Struck blind by lustre ! 
LtfC 



( 07 ) 

Good is Jehovah in bestowing sunshine, 
ISTor less his goodness in the storm and thunder ; 
Mercies and judgments both proceed from kind- 
ness, 

Infinite kindness ! 

then exult, that God forever reigneth ! 
Clouds, which around him hinder our perception, 
Bind us the stronger to exalt his I^ame, and 

Shout louder praises ! 

Then to the wisdom of my Lord and master, 

1 will commit all that I have or wish for : 
Sweetly as babes sleep will I give my life up 

When call'd to yield it. 

ITow, Mars^ I dare thee, clad in smoky pillars. 
Bursting from bomb-shells, roaring from the 

cannon, 
Kattling in grape-shot, like a storm of hail-stones. 
Torturing ^ther ! 

Up the bleak heavens let the spreading flames rise. 
Breaking like .^tna through the smokv columns, 
Low'ring like Egypt o'er the falling city, 
Wantonly burnt down. 

While all their hearts quick palpitate for havoc, 
Let slip your blood-hounds, nam'd the British lions ; 
Dauntless as death stares, nimble as the whirlwind, 
Dreadful as demons ! 



( 68 ) 

Let oceans waft on all your floating castles, 
Fraught with destruction, horrible to nature ; 
Then, with your sails fill'd by a storm of ven- 
geance, 

Bear down to battle I 

From the dire caverns made by ghostly miners. 
Let the explosion, dreadful as volcanoes, 
Heave the broad town, with all its wealth and 
people. 

Quick to destruction ! 

Still shall the banner of the King of Heaven 
JS'ever advance where I'm afraid to follow ; 
"While that precedes me, with an open bosom, 
TT^r, I defy thee ! 

Fame and dear freedom lure me on to battle, 
While a fell despot, grimmer than a death's head, 
Stings me with serpents, fi.ercer than Medusa's 
To the encounter. 

Life, for my country and the cause of freedom. 
Is but a trifle for a worm to part with ; 
And if preserved in so great a contest, 
Life is redoubled. 

Norwich (Connecticut), Oct. 1775. 



( 69 ) 

JSToTE. — The poet seems to have had in ^-iew the 
following atrocities of British agents, which had 
recently been perpetrated . 

" During the battle on Breed's hill, June 18, 
1775, by the orders of General Gage the town of 
Charlestown was laid in ashes, by which 2,000 
peoj)le in a moment were deprived of their habi- 
tations, furniture, and other necessaries, and prop- 
erty amounting to one hundred and twenty thou- 
sand pounds sterling, perished in the flames !" 

To gratify personal malice and revenge, " On 
the 19th Oct. 1775, Capt. Mowat, commander of 
a sloop-of-war, under the orders of Admiral 
Graves, proceeded to burn the town of Falmouth 
(now Portland), Maine, destroying all the public 
buildings but one, and one hundred and thirty 
dwellings, and a great number of out-buildings. 
By this wanton and malicious act of revenge, 
about one hundred and sixty families were driven 
at a late period of the year, to find an asylum, as 
they could, from the severities of the api3roach- 
ing Winter !" — Pees. D wight's Travels in New 
England. 



THE END. 



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